Background and aim: Pathogenic Listeria species are responsible for foodborne diseases and high mortality and morbidity among immunosuppressed humans . Patients and Methods:A crosssectional study was conducted between March and November 2015 to determine the AMR profile and virulence genes associated with Listeria monocytogenes from beef sold in Zaria. A total of 240 raw beef samples were collected from beef retailers in Zaria city, Tudun-Wada, Danmagaji, Sabon Gari, Kwangila, and Samaru. The samples were transported to the Veterinary Public Health laboratory, ABU, Zaria, for processing. The isolates were further identified as Listeria species by biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion method. Multiplex PCR was used to identify the virulence genes associated with Listeria monocytogenes. The data were analysed using SPSS V23.0 and Microsoft Excel version 2019 for Windows 10. Odd ratio and 95% CI were determined. Value of P< 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Four different Listeria species were recovered from 66/240 (27.5%) meat samples. The Listeria species were L. grayi 39(59.1%), L. innocua 13 (19.7%), L. monocytogenes 8 (12.5) and L. ivanovii 6 (9.1). High percentages of Cefixime (87.5%) and Tetracycline (87.5%) susceptibility were found. The L. monocytogenes displayed high rate of resistance to Ampicillin (100%) and gentamicin (87.5%). Isolates from Sabongari, Tudun-Wada, and Zaria city had the highest Multiple AMR index (0.73). Two virulence genes were also identified: inlA 1 (12.5%) and iap 5 (62.5%). Conclusion:This revealed that Listeria monocytogenes prevalent in meat samples in Zaria have multiple AMR, and possess virulence genes .